Muss My Hair » Ridgewood Queens

Weird Billboard

Squidocto — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:19:21 +0000

This is near my house. Is it just cuz I’m a graphic designer, or is this simultaneously ugly, creepy, and weird?

You are hereby ordered to click to see the bigger version, in all its yeesh detail.

Great Achievements in Retail Branding

Squidocto — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:32:33 +0000

Across the street is a rival market, Contrast Foods.

Dino Fuels

Squidocto — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:19:25 +0000

I like the dinosaur, but it may be time to change the slogan.

Ridgewood Stone Faces 4

Squidocto — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:47:09 +0000

Ridgewood Stone Faces 3

Squidocto — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:24:08 +0000

Several “Thor” faces, and on the left a few of the rare female faces.

Ridgewood, Queens, that is. (Click to enlarge.)

Ridgewood Stone Faces 2

Squidocto — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:48:53 +0000

Ridgewood Queens, that is. Click to enlarge.

Ridgewood Stone Faces 1

Squidocto — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:22:04 +0000

The Best Headstone in Ridgewood Queens

Squidocto — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:11:57 +0000

The inscription on the burial egg:

cocoon of love
shelter our beloved
through eternity

Square Tree

Squidocto — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:19:59 +0000

A square-base tree awaits a new sidewalk in Queens. Click it if you want to take a closer look at the details, like the poo.

The Border of Ridgewood Queens

Squidocto — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:37:40 +0000

The border of Ridgewood has been disputed for decades, if not centuries. The most specific the Queens government gets is this map, which differs from this 1940 map which is based in part on the census.

The Southwestern border, these days, is clear, as it is the Queens-Brooklyn line. The Eastern edge is generally considered to be the train tracks, but while some maps include the Lutheran Cemetery, others consider that a part of Middle Village. The Northern border is generally described as Metropolitan Avenue, but here again some maps, including the Queens Borough’s neighborhood map linked to above, have an extension up around Mt Olivet Cemetery. So for simplicity’s sake, Ridgewood is almost always bundled in together with Glendale, Middle Village, and Maspeth.

I prefer This Map, which is based on the vague Queens government version.

A Simplified History of Ridgewood

Squidocto — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:32:35 +0000

17th century: the Dutch begin to settle the area.
1710: first Onderdonk House is built.
1769: border dispute between the towns of Newton and Bushwick is resolved, with the Arbitration Rock.
1856: “Ridgewood’s Reservoir” is established, named for the Ridgewood Ponds to the east.
1910: after a time of being called both East Williamsburgh and Evergreen, the name Ridgewood is officially given to the neighborhood.
1920s: the modern border between Brooklyn and Queens is drawn; Ridgewood still retained a Brooklyn postal identity.
1977: the great New York City blackout. After widespread violence in Bushwick, Ridgewood residents seek to disassociate themselves with their Bushwick neighbors.
1979: Ridgewood is completely a part of Queens, even in its zip code (11385).

My Neighborhood: Barber Shop / Butcher

Squidocto — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:35:02 +0000

Apparently someone hasn’t seen Sweeney Todd…. or have they???????